Line marking device



sept. 2s, 1937. v E. LLLLY 2,094,017

LINE MARKING DEVICE Filed Dec. 5, 1934 f Eig- Patented Sept. `28, 1937 UNITED STATES matou PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to certain improvements in line markers and the like and particularly to such a device adapted for use in connection with all classes of printed matter and all types of copy 5 holders, whereby said device may be readily ad- 30. work or business, the same will be found desirjusted and operated in a simple and eicient manner without the necessity of mechanical connections or cooperating parts between the copy holder and the like and said device.

The object of the invention is the production of a simple, inexpensive yet efficient device capable of being made of light material and operated with a minimum eiiort.

Another object is to provide a device of the character indicated designed for use in connection with all types of copy holders and printed matter, without requiring any mechanical adjustments or changes either in the device or copy holder.

The improved device is also equally well adapted for use in connection with books or similar manuscript and can be secured in operative position without in any way defacing or injuring said books or manuscript.

Furthermore in view of the simplicity of the device and its small number of parts and lightness, the same adds practically no weight to the books or printed matter with which it is used, so that aside from its use in reading copy in office able and helpful in book reading as a book marker as well as a line marking device.

Generally considered the improved device comprises vertical and horizontal intersecting and slidably interlocking members preferably made of light transparent material, the vertical member or members being provided with the necessary means for securing the device in position and the horizontal member or line marking member, adapted to be moved step by step from one line to the next, being guided and slidably supported on the vertical member or members in a manner to be hereinafter fully described.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure l illustrates one form of the device as applied in operative position;

Figure 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view on line 2--2 of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a modication of the construction as shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view on line 4 4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a further modied form employing two vertical members asV distinguished from a single vertical member as shown in Figure 1;

Figure 6 illustrates another form of the device; and

Figure '7 is a transverse sectional view on line 'I-l of Figure 6, said Figure 6 also illustrating another means of securing the device in operative position as distinguished from the securing means shown in the other gures of the drawing.

Referring to the drawing in detail l represents a copy holder, book, or the like, to which the device is applied.

The preferred form of the invention is illustrated in Figure l and comprises a vertical transparent and relatively light an-d thin vertical member 2. Cooperating with this member 2 and slidably supported thereon is a transverse member 3 also made of light material and preferably translucent. The middle portion of this transverse member 3 is provided with a series of slots 4 of a length corresponding to the Width of the vertical member 2, said vertical member 2 being inserted through these slots, whereby a slidable interlocking connection is obtained between these parts 2 and 3. This slidable interlock is more `clearly shownin the vertical transverse section illustrated in Figure 2 from which it will be noted that there will be suicent frictional contact between the parts so that the transverse member 3 will be maintainedin any of its adjusted positions without any further mechanical attachment. In other words the transverse member 3 may be moved up and down the vertical member 2, yet at the same time this slidable interlock will frictionally hold the member 3 in any y of its adjusted positions.

Secured to the upper and lower ends ofthe vertical member 2 is an elastic cord or the like 5 which is adapted to encircle or embrace the copy holder, book, or the like, as clearly shown in Figure 2. Of course this cord does not necessarily have to be elastic, but it has been found that an elastic cord is better adapted for the purpose and facilitates the easy adjustment of the device in connection with copy holders of various sizes.

Moreover with an elastic cord the device can be In Figure 3 a modified form of the device is shown, wherein there is a vertical member 'I provided with a pair of parallel slits or the like 8 running substantially from end to end of the vertical member 1.

Cooperating with this vertical member I is a transverse member 9, the middle portion of saidmember completely embracing the middle portion of the vertical member I produced by the slits 8 as clearly shown in Figure 4. This intermediate portion of the transverse member 9 is provided with spaced parallel downwardly extending portions I0 which are adapted to lie along the edges of the intermediate portion of the vertical member I also more clearly shown in Figure 4. These downwardly extending portions I0 maintain the transverse member in proper horizontal position with respect to the vertical member In this modification also the device is secured in position by an elastic cord 5 or the like and the transverse member 9 is also provided with an operating cord (not shown) similar to that illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 5 illustrates another modification in which two parallel vertical members 2 similar to that shown in Figure 1, are provided, but in this modification the transverse member 3 is provided with interlocking slots 4 at the opposite ends of the transverse member in an obvious manner as clearly shown in Figure 5. In this arrangement also the vertical members 2 are maintained in proper relation with respect to the copy holder I by elastic cords 5 or the like, and although not shown in this figure, the transverse member 3 is operated in the same manner as shown in Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 6 of the drawing a still further modification of the same general or broad idea is shown and in this arrangement the opposite edges of the Vertical member II are provided with grooves or the like I2 and the transverse member I3 is adapted to partially embrace the vertical member II and is provided with parallel guides or the like I4 adapted to have a sliding frictional engagement with the grooves I2 formed in the opposite edges of the vertical member II. This construction is more clearly shown in Figure 7 illustrating a cross-sectional view of this form of the device.Y Figure 6 also illustrates another simple manner of securing the device to the copy holder or the like wherein a spring clip I5 of conventional form is carried by the upper end of the vertical member I I, in such a position as to clamp the upper edge of the copy holder. If necessary a similar clip, not shown, may be carried by theV lower end of the vertical member II, lso that the device may be clamped top and bottom. Although this clip I5 has been described as applied to the modified vertical member Il it is of course to be understood that said clip is also applicable to the vertical members 2 and 1 as shown in Figures 1, 3, and 5.

It will also be apparent that although a number of modifications of the device have been shown the same fundamental and broad idea of a sliding interlocking and frictional engagement is obtained between the vertical member or members and the transverse member, in all of the forms shown.

It is also apparent that other modifications may be designed and still be within the scope of the appended claims so long as a sliding interlocking construction is maintained between the vertical and transverse members.

As hereinbefore stated the vertical and transverse members are made of light thin material,

and preferably celluloid, the transverse member being suiciently stiff and rigid to maintain a flat contact with the copy holder, book, or the like in an obvious manner. It is also preferable to make the vertical member 3 of transparent material so that a clear view of the printed matter supported by the copy holder will not be obscured. The transverse member, however, is preferably made of translucent material.

The whole device is extremely light requiring no mechanical devices or' attachments for its application and use and at the same time in view of its simplicity can be readily and economically manufactured.

What I claim is:

1. The combination with a copy holder, of a detachable line marking device comprising a horizontal member extending substantially the full width of the copy holder, a series of equally spaced substantially rectangular slots formed in said horizontal member, a flat vertical member substantially the same width as the length of said slots, said vertical member having an interwoven cooperation with said slots in the horizontal member to engage alternately the upper and lower faces of said horizontal member adjacent the slots and elastic means connecting the upper and lower ends of the vertical member for securing said device in operative position.

2. The combination with a copy holder, of a detachable line marking device comprising a horizontal member extending substantially the full width of the copy holder, a series of spaced horizontal slots formed in the opposite ends of said horizontal member and a pair of spaced vertical members, the respective vertical members having an interwoven cooperation with the slots in the opposite ends of the horizontal member to engage alternately the upper and lower faces of said horizontal member adjacent said slots, whereby the horizontal member will be supported in frictional sliding engagement with said vertical member.

3. The combination with a copy holder, of a detachable line marking device comprising a flat horizontal member extending substantially the full width of the copy holder, a series of equally spaced substantially rectangular slots formed in the opposite ends of said horizontal member, a pair of spaced flat vertical members substantially the same width as thelength of said slots, the respective vertical members having an interwoven cooperation with the slots in the opposite ends of the horizontal member to engage alternately the upper and lower faces of said horizontal member adjacent said slots and elastic means connecting the opposite ends of the respective vertical members for securing said device in operative position.

VERTA E. LILLY. 

